Who’s hungry for college basketball?
Here’s today’s installment of “The Breakfast Buffet”, a daily column that can be found here every single morning getting you caught up to date on everything that’s happened from the day/night before and everything that’s going to happen in the next 24 hours.
Mangia!
Things To Sample
Darius Acuff versus Christian Anderson
Arkansas will face Texas Tech today in Dallas in a rematch of last year’s matchup in the Sweet 16 and the most fascinating individual matchup in this game is on the perimeter. The 6-3 Acuff is averaging 18.7 PPG and 7.7 APG in the Razorbacks’ last three games while Anderson (19.1 points, 7.0 assists) is also posting major numbers. Both are playing at an all-conference first-team caliber level. Keep a close eye on this showdown on the perimeter as Arkansas tries to avenge its Sweet 16 defeat to Texas Tech from last March in the NCAA Tournament.
NC State needs more out of Darrion Williams today against Kansas
The ACC Preseason Player of the Year hasn’t played like the ACC Preseason Player of the Year over the past few weeks and he’s going to have to play like the ACC Preseason Player of the Year if the Wolfpack are going to get their biggest win of the season today in Raleigh. Sounds pretty simple, right? The 6-6 Williams (15.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists) has only scored a combined 38 points in his last four games and he’s going to have to be near his apex today against the Jayhawks if NC State is going to have a chance to finally move the needle during non-conference play. This is the biggest game that this program has played thus far under Will Wade.
Arizona/Alabama
The Wildcats are one of the most physical teams in college basketball and want to destroy teams in the paint. The Crimson Tide average 95.1 points and want to play as fast as humanly possible. This is a true contrast in styles. Arizona — who’s currently ranked FIRST in the ROTHSTEIN 45 — has already won games this season against UConn, Florida, and UCLA, but tonight’s tilt against Alabama in Birmingham will be its toughest challenge yet. This is a Final Four caliber game.
On The Side
- Alabama’s Nate Oats was Friday’s guest on INSIDE COLLEGE BASKETBALL NOW. To watch the full interview, click HERE.
- Tonight’s game between Kentucky and Indiana is the first regular season meeting between these two programs since Dec. 11, 2011.
- Four of the last five meetings between Gonzaga and UCLA have been decided by four points or fewer entering tonight’s game in Seattle.
- Rick Pitino announced on Thursday that Ian Jackson (11.4 points) will start at point guard for St. John’s in today’s game at MSG against Iona. The 6-5 Jackson has just eight assists so far this season along with 14 turnovers.
- Will Nebraska’s defense travel on the road today at Illinois? The Huskers are 10-0 and have held Creighton and Wisconsin to a combined 110 points in their last two games.
Daily Specials
- Arkansas/Texas Tech
- Nebraska at Illinois
- Indiana at Kentucky
- Arizona/Alabama
- Gonzaga/UCLA
Leftovers
- The Breakfast Buffet: Tobe Awaka, Nebraska’s defense, Texas/Kentucky
- INSIDE COLLEGE BASKETBALL NOW (1/20): Guest — Virginia’s Ryan Odom
- The Breakfast Buffet: Michigan returns home, Seton Hall/St. John’s, Kansas hits the road at Colorado
- INSIDE COLLEGE BASKETBALL NOW (1/19): Florida, Kentucky, The ACC, The Big East, JT Toppin, Darryn Peterson
- The Breakfast Buffet: Brad Brownell, Florida, St. John’s is thriving on the road
